Zurabishvili: Georgian Dream's course has changed under Russian pressure
Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, is convinced that the ruling Georgian Dream party is acting under Russian influence. She made this statement during a live Facebook broadcast, answering questions from users.
According to Zurabishvili, signs of a pro-Russian course weren't immediately apparent. She noted that for a long time, the party maintained its stated Euro-Atlantic orientation and demonstrated a willingness to follow the recommendations of its Western partners.
Speaking about the changes in the government's policy, the former president stated that the turning point came later, when, in her opinion, pressure from Moscow intensified.
"Perhaps we didn't see this from the very beginning. I can personally say for myself – many didn't. Some today claim they knew from the very beginning, but it wasn't obvious for a long time, while the Georgian Dream remained Euro-Atlantic, while its priorities changed, while it was trying to implement recommendations. But at some point, a period arose when Russia increased pressure on this group, this team, and demanded decisions that would mean an end to negotiations," Salome Zurabishvili said.
The former president also linked the Georgian authorities' subsequent actions to the rise in anti-Western rhetoric. She cited statements about the so-called "second front" and criticism of Western countries and Georgia's partners as examples.
